PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Nathan Elliott entered the Georgia Tech game working on a string of 212 pass attempts without an interception, but he had three in the loss to the Yellow Jackets. Though relieved by freshman Jace Ruder, Elliott looks to retain his starting position by default with the injuries to Ruder and other backups Chazz Surratt and Cade Fortin.
–WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams may be North Carolina’s leading receiver with 32 catches for 475 yards, but he could have another key role for the Tar Heels down the stretch. Because of the injury situation at quarterback, Ratliff-Williams may be called to action as a backup at the position. A junior, he came to North Carolina as a quarterback before being moved to receiver and has completed 3-of-6 pass attempts for 86 yards, with two completions going for touchdowns in his career. His only two attempts this season were incomplete.
–LB Cole Holcomb had a busy day in the loss to Georgia Tech. A former walk-on, the senior recorded a career-high 22 tackles, becoming the first Carolina defender with 20 or more in a regular-season game since Durell Mapp had 23 at N.C. State in 2007. Holcomb also forced three fumbles, two of which UNC recovered. “In my career I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a guy go out there in one game and make 22 tackles and force three fumbles,” coach Larry Fedora said.
–LB Allen Artis, a veteran special teams contributor, made his first collegiate start on defense a notable affair in recording 14 tackles against Georgia Tech. Artis is a graduate student who early in his career was suspended until sexual assault charges against him were dropped before the 2017 season.
SERIES HISTORY: North Carolina leads Duke 59-38-4 after vacating two wins because of NCAA penalties. Duke won the last meeting 27-17 in 2017.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We expect our guys to be up for every game, but this is a big rivalry game. It’s against a team from 10 miles down the road. It’s for the Victory Bell. To our guys it means a lot. It means a lot to our seniors.” — Coach Larry Fedora on the approach to Saturday’s game against Duke.
